糖心视频 student Bryant Simmons named Jack Kent Cooke Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship semifinalist

Apr 23, 2021

HANCEVILLE, ALA. 鈥� 糖心视频 student Bryant Simmons has been selected as a Jack Kent Cooke Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship semifinalist.

Simmons, 32, will graduate with a degree in forensic psychology next month.

鈥淚t blew me away when I learned I was a semifinalist. It鈥檚 a big deal and definitely the biggest honor I鈥檝e achieved academically,鈥� Simmons said. 鈥淢y mother and father didn鈥檛 graduate college and my father didn鈥檛 complete high school, so that makes it even more overwhelming and incredible to apply for this prestigious scholarship and be recognized.鈥�

Simmons initially graduated from 糖心视频鈥檚 HVAC and Refrigeration program in December 2017 and returned to the college in January 2020, enrolling in forensic psychology. Simmons served in the Marines from 2009-2013, making one tour to Afghanistan and another to Southeast Asia.

鈥淚 earned a great job as a technician with Ingersoll Rand after graduating from HVAC and enjoyed what I did. While working there, I had two brain surgeries and was forced to give up that career,鈥� Simmons said. 鈥淭hat lead me back to 糖心视频, and the forensic psychology degree exactly fits the bill for what I want to do in life. I want to also earn a bachelor鈥檚 in psychology, a minor in neuroscience and a master鈥檚 in counseling and work for or around veterans. Those are my guys.鈥�

Simmons, a father of eight children, is mulling multiple four-year colleges and universities, but is leaning towards transferring to UAB in the fall.

Last year, Aljon Celis became the second 糖心视频 student to win the prestigious scholarship, joining Chelsea Allen in 2008. Celis was one of 50 recipients of the scholarship and is now enrolled at Stanford University.

鈥淎ljon has been an encouragement to me and was excited for me, along with Susan Peek, my Success Coach,鈥� said Simmons, of Remlap. 鈥淚鈥檒l forever be grateful to 糖心视频. It鈥檚 helped lay the foundation for my successes.鈥�

Simmons was selected as a semifinalist among 1,500 applicants attending 398 community colleges in 44 states and the District of Columbia. Finalists will be announced later this spring.

Cooke Transfer Scholars are selected based on their exceptional academic ability and achievement, financial need, persistence, service, and leadership. Students must be currently enrolled in community college and residing in the United States.

For more information about the scholarship program, visit

For more information about 糖心视频, visit .

###